The novel I conceived in the second half of 2009 is now in the birthing canal.

Yesterday I placed an order for a proof copy of Scattered Stones. After I hit the CONFIRM button, I sat back and thought about the journey to give me a better perspective of what I had done.

In May 2010, I had written the last 60,000 words in a rush to reach the end. Then the manuscript went through multiple edits, being read and sporadically edited by beta readers. I edited and revised when I found time, often between stints of working outside the home. For six months in 2014, I barely had a chance to look at it because I worked six to seven days a week, putting in ten-hour days at a garden centre. This sort of schedule doesn’t leave much time to eat, sleep and say hello to the kids, let alone hours bellied-up to a computer to edit a novel.

Over the past few months, I’ve been toying with the cover for my next book: Scattered Stones. I’m usually not an indecisive person but with covers, I’m starting to flip flop.

A cover is vital to a book’s success. Almost everyone at some point in their life has judged a book by its cover. It doesn’t matter if the story is awesome or cruddy; the cover alone can sell a book. The goal, however, is to catch the readers’ attention long enough that they give you a second look to see if they want to buy your book.

I’ve learned a lot about how to make covers, but I know there is a large room for improvement. I also don’t have the programs designers use, so I use what I can. And I keep my ears and eyes open for tips.

I make all my covers using PowerPoint, so I’ve never tried to use the downloadable template provided by CreateSpace. I have played with the online templates, and they did not impress me. There were too many limitations, making a CreateSpace cover stand out from the book rack as a cover created with CreateSpace online cover creator.

The downloadable template appears more flexible, but I’m not sure since I haven’t played with it. I know, however, others might want to give it a try. This morning, I came across this post:

When you’re ready to have your book printed with CreateSpace and you’re planning on tackling the cover on your own it can seem rather daunting. It certainly terrified me to begin with and I only very recently updated my covers from the originals I made using the CreateSpace online cover creator. There’s nothing wrong with using that though. It depends on you entirely. Today I’ll show you how to make a PDF cover using their downloadable template.

I have designed all the covers for my books. For me, it’s the treat of the whole publishing process. I love playing with images, text and light to find something that attracts my eye.

Although many will say, Don’t judge a book by its cover, it’s a fact that many people do just that. I know I do.

I’m more likely to buy a book if its cover appeals to me, and I will pass on a book if the cover hits a wrong nerve or is unattractive. Trashy fantasy novels with half-clad women never go into my cart. It doesn’t matter who the author is or how many people brag up the story.

I’ve been asked many times where I find the ideas for my covers. My answer is everywhere.

I’ve always been a matte girl. Back in the early 1990s when I worked at a processing lab I realised I could choose matte over glossy prints. I was hooked. Fast forward twenty years and I thought I’d be stuck with glossy book covers until I took the leap from CreateSpace to a ‘regular’ book printer. I was wrong.

Last week I received an email from CreateSpace announcing a new print options for covers: Matte.

Here’s what they have on their website: You can choose between custom matte or glossy finish for your print book. Both cover options have their advantages; you might want to purchase a sample of each cover to help you decide. You can choose your cover option during Title Setup, and even when your book is already for sale. Some things to keep in mind when choosing a cover:

There is no extra charge for either finish

You can change the cover option even on a book that’s already for sale

For existing titles, you won’t need to repeat Content Review, and the book will remain available for purchase during the cover finish change

Orders placed before the change will still ship with the previous cover option

Your change will take effect within 4 hours for Amazon sites, and up to 6 weeks for EDC

Matte covers are less glaring, easier on the eye and are great for novels.

To learn more about this great option and learn how you can choose matte book covers for future and current titles, check out CreateSpace.

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Do you want to self-publish a book? Does self-publishing look too complicated and confusing? It does to everyone when they first begin their journey, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do it.

When I find a new tool to assist me with publishing books, I want to stand on the highest crenellation and shout it to world. I want to leap onto my fastest gelding and race through the countryside proclaiming its wonderful attributes. I want to grab the wheel of the most dependable brigantine and sail to every port to tell them of my findings.

Instead, when I find something right under my nose that I already have but can use in a different way to support my writing, I usually blab about it and show it off to my family. When they tire of it, I tell everyone in Blogland. So here it goes.

Book 2 in the Castle Keepers Fantasy Series: Bronwyn Darrow is desperate to rescue his daughter Isla from Blackvale Castle. For five long years, he’s travelled Ath-o’Lea searching for her, but the formidable castle remains elusive. He’s surrendered his coveted sergeant’s position at Aruam Castle, but he’s willing to sacrifice everything—even his honour—to bring Isla home. If he fails, his innocent little girl will face a lifetime of slavery.